Page 48 - Mercian Eagle 2014

Pl Comd Lt Jaz Burridge Pl Sgt Sgt Chadbourne
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goods helping the teams win nine medals. Overall it was an excellent week thanks to the professionalism of the soldiers taking part and running it.
The Mercian Merger and deployment
on Op TOSCA has been the principal
focus since Easter leave. The Company has said goodbye to approximately 90%
of its orbat and welcomed soldiers from across the three battalions. Worth particular note and thanks for their contributions
are WO2 White; Lts Vause and Bell; CSgt Jones; Sgts Keaton, Herberts, Cotterill and Chadbourne; and Cpl Chamberlain who has left to pursue a career outside the Army.
Ice Climbing/Kinlochlevin, Scotland/Jan 14
The Company has settled well into the
Dale Barracks with soldiers from all three battalions beginning to gel. We look forward
C (Kohima) Coy/Brigade Operational Shooting Competition, Magilligan Ranges/March 14
to Mission Specific Training post Summer leave and deployment on Op TOSCA.
Assault Pioneer Platoon by Lt Jazz Burridge
The Assault Pioneers would like to congratulate three members on their recent promotions; LCpl’s L Grainger and R Smith have each successfully completed Section Commanders Battle Course (SCBC) and subsequently promoted to Corporal, and Sgt Keeton boarded successfully for Colour Sergeant. While it was a shame to see CSgt Keeton and Cpl Smith posted away from battalion, we wish both the best of luck.
The past year has been, as ever, very busy with an exercise to Kenya, AT, re-ORBAT and a move to Chester. Following successful build-up training on Dartmoor, the platoon deployed on Ex ASKARI STORM. This six week exercise offered a great opportunity for the entire battalion to work as a unit and develop skills at every level. For the Assault Pioneers there was the added bonus of work with the attached engineers. During the WARRIOR phase of the exercise, the Assault Pioneers attended two days of refresher training in field engineering. The first day covered water purification, bridging and sandbagging (Cpl Hughes’ new found hobby). Day two saw the lads joining the engineers for a ‘Dems Range’. With barely concealed excitement, they built improvised Bangalore Torpedoes, blew doors off hinges and even attempted to fight a bush-fire. Both days were
a great chance for the lads to refresh their Pioneering skills and we are very grateful to the engineers for hosting us. The entire exercise saw significant development in the platoon, both for skills and cohesion. It seems if there is one thing men can bond over, it’s the fear of venomous snakes blocking the exit from an ambush. The opportunity for multicultural understanding was well seized, as the platoon was augmented by a lively section from 4 SCOTS. Despite struggling with the language barrier, our lads welcomed and bonded with these outgoing characters and were soon teaching each
other the intricacies
of expletives in their
respective dialects. Ex ASKARI STORM was endured with aplomb – possibly even enjoyed – by all.
Following recovery to the UK the platoon was re-joined by Sgt Chadbourne, a newly promoted, lifelong Pioneer. He worked tirelessly to develop a fine, if a bit too stylish, beard. C (Skirmish) Company deployed on Ex MOUNTAIN SKIRMISH providing a great opportunity for the new platoon sergeant to get to know his platoon and the men to scare themselves on ice climbing and mountain biking.
Immediately after Christmas leave, the platoon began to prepare for the re-ORBAT required by A2020. The new structure has the platoon as part of Support Company at a full strength of 18 men commanded by a Sergeant. So it was with genuine disappointment that mid-March saw the platoon split, with 7 men and a platoon commander staying in Belfast and the remaining 13 and Sgt Chadbourne moving ahead of the Battalion to Chester where they were joined by a further five men from the 1st Battalion. Since the move, the Pioneers have undertaken a dedicated Pioneer exercise in Wyke Regis, and supported ARRC on an ongoing arduous exercise. They look forward to imminent deployment to Uganda. Those that remained as 9 Platoon moved to Chester at the end of May and were fallen out to settle into their new platoons following the Merger.
This platoon commander would like to say a big thank you and wish the best of luck to the men of the Assault Pioneers as he too moves on, taking with him the enduring pride and individuality of having been part of the Pioneers. I now look forward to training the new Machine Gun Platoon.
Assault Pioneer Platoon – Kenya – Ex Askari Storm
Ex Askari Storm – Assault Pioneer Platoon working with the locals
THE MERCIAN EAGLE